Why is the drive-by media not paying attention?

To watch the media circus around the Florida shooting of 17 year old Trayvon Martin you would think he was a clean cut 13 year old. At least that's the picture they are trying to portray and the picture they show on the 10pm news.

We tell students in our carry classes that no one, and we mean no one walks away after a defensive shooting a winner. Oh sure, you might still be alive but you will have emotional, financial, civil and perhaps criminal liabilities you and a very good lawyer may have to defend against (not the emotional – that’s your baggage exclusively).

“If Zimmerman was told not to continue to follow Trayvon, can that beconsidered in this investigation?Yes it will; however, the telecommunications call taker asked Zimmerman “are youfollowing him”. Zimmerman replied, “yes”. The call taker stated “you don’t need to dothat”. The call taker’s suggestion is not a lawful order that Mr. Zimmerman would berequired to follow. Zimmerman’s statement was that he had lost sight of Trayvon andwas returning to his truck to meet the police officer when he says he was attacked byTrayvon.”

So Zimmerman was NEVER told NOT to follow Trayvon nor was he ordered NOT to.

Furthermore, the evidence substantiated Zimmerman’s account of the incident and there is an eyewitness that confirms Zimmerman's account.

The photo the press has been using of Martin is one where he is a 13 year old boy. Why are they not using the more recent on found on his Facebook page? And they do the same with Zimmerman. Why are they using an old photo of Zimmerman instead of the new one found on this image being sent around on the Internet (see above photo)?

The answer is painfully obvious. It makes for more viewers if race is the issue and not reality. It makes for more views if we portray Zimmerman as a blood thirsty vigilante than it does to portray to what the existing evidence suggests: A victim himself.

Weepy eyed Diane Sawyer could not wait to gush and sigh her way through the story. Reports on her network continue to use inflammatory and biased language such as when reporting on the crime in the neighborhood “perhaps the crime in the neighborhood drove him [Zimmerman] over the edge.” Over the edge? A man beating on Zimmerman perhaps forced him to use deadly force in self defense .

What can I do to avoid becoming a George Zimmerman?

You can minimize your chances of being involved in something like George Zimmerman is involved in right now by taking a few simple steps to avoid becoming a victim.

First and foremost, if you are in a community watch or just a good neighbor looking after your neighborhood, you should REPORT suspicious activity.

Certainly in most states including Florida and Minnesota, citizens may effect arrests. It is called a citizen arrest. You can also legally get involved if you see a crime being committed. That really is not up for debate. The bigger question is should you get involved at that level? And in most cases, the answer is no.

If you are a carry permit holder, you carry a firearm for the sole purpose of self-defense for yourself or others (most state laws state if you or another are in danger of great bodily harm or death you can use deadly force.) You’re not a cop, and we don’t give our students capes. So they are not super heroes either.

Zimmerman’s clothes have grass stains on the back of his shirt and pants further confirming his story that he was attacked and feared for his life.

If you understand that you carry a firearm only to defend yourself or another from an immediate threat of great bodily harm or death, and that you are not a cop or a super heroe, and you maintain awareness of your surroundings and put distance between you and potential threats, you may not end up in a situation as is being faced by George Zimmerman.